Half-Pigeon Healing: Surrender, Breathe, Liberate
What holds you back in your life? What do you want to let go of?
When I teach yoga and invite students to assume Half-Pigeon Pose, I often like to ask these questions. We tend to hold so much emotional tension in our hips and heart, and I think it is important to notice where the resistance resides (in our body and life). We often live in fear; we allow ourselves to remain caught as we attempt to escape and run away from the unknown, pain, conflict, challenges only to push the emotional junk further down (usually into our hips).
Can you face the emotions and discomfort that lie buried in your hips, and trust that you will discover greater strength, resilience and love when you soften and allow the blockages to melt?
When we face our truth (even if ugly), honor our hearts and are able to let go of that which doesn't serve us anymore, we make room for true freedom, radiance, deep healing and nourishment. Surrendering into Half-Pigeon Posture allows for expansion within to take place. Some of my students have even described the experience as an "aha moment."
My almost 2-year old daughter, Sadie, likes to climb onto my back when I am in Half-Pigeon, offering her gentleness through the touch of her tiny hands, a reminder for me to soften and surrender. The pressure of her little body, now lying, belly down on top of my low back, also represents a great adjustment, as my hips sink even further down, and with more evenness. I feel Sadie's heart beating strongly, her warmth permeating my body. Tears begin to well up in my eyes the longer I embrace this pose and feel Sadie's tenderness. They are not tears of pain but rather of deep release, liberation and love. So, after asking myself to release that which does not serve me anymore, I, in turn, open my heart up to more brightness, vibrance and joy.
What do you desire? What fuels and nourishes you?
I invite you to carve out 5 minutes today to dive into your hips, flow through blocked emotional energy and create more space for healing and vitality.
How to get into Half-Pigeon Pose:
1. Start in a low lunge, right foot forward, back knee down.
2. Walk your right foot to the left, relaxing your knee and outer shin to the mat. Keep right foot flexed to protect your knee.
3. Sit up tall and square the hips. If your hips are uneven, place a block or blanket under the right hip.
4. Try adding a forward bend to your pigeon, which can also help you to relax. Forward bends turn on our parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest) and are considered cooling, calming poses. Great for this time of year!
5. Hold for 30 seconds or a few minutes, listening intuitively to your body and what it needs. Then, repeat on the other leg.
Namaste!
~ Annie Wagoner
Annie Wagoner is a Mom, Holistic Health Counselor, Yoga & Pilates Instructor, Rasamaya Teacher, Office Manager/Chiropractic Assistant, Writer, Lover of Movement and a Foodie. For more information about her classes and workshops on health coaching, yoga, Pilates, and deep core nourishment, check out www.yourcorenourishment.com.
*photo from Yoga Journal
